Candice Huffine: Plus-size Model Sees Changes for Curvy Women

Model Candice Huffine poses for the photographers as she arrives at the Gala Dinner on the occasion of the presentation of the Pirelli 2015 Calendar by Steven Meisel, unveiled in Milan, Italy. (Giuseppe Aresu/AP Photo)

Candice Huffine sees big changes ahead for curvy women and models like her – the first plus-size model to ever be featured in the elite Pirelli tire-racing calendar.

The Pirelli calendar released earlier this week features the 5-foot-11 model who was shot by fashion photographer Steven Meisel, according to New York magazine. It was also the first shoot Meisel did for the calendar, as well.

Huffine told the magazine that consumers often don't feel represented in the pictures of such calendars and magazines, but added that the industry is slowly starting to catch up with women who expect to see themselves reflected in the products they buy.

"There's a major celebration happening right now of – not even just curves – but models of different ages and color and size," said Huffine. "I don't blame anyone or the industry for the reason why it took, let's say, maybe a decade. I've been in the industry 15 years, so I've sort of watched it happen. It's a big move; it's a big change, but it's really exciting. It's super well-received and a breath of fresh air."

Victoria Moss of The Telegraph wrote that Meisel and his stylist Carine Roifeld looked for models he worked with before to established the theme that "sex is most definitely back – latex thongs and all."

"Meisel's concept for the shoot was simply to pick his 12 favorite beauties and create iconic images of them," Moss wrote. "Alongside Pirelli regulars Isabeli Fontana, Adriana Lima and Carolyn Murphy (who at 40 is on her third calendar), he cast Candice Huffine, 30, a veteran of his Italian Vogue shoots (he put her on the celebrated 'curvy' cover of 2011) and a size 16."

"Like Candice Huffine, I am 5-foot-11," Devon wrote. "For women of our height, our bodies tend to be naturally larger, but there are plenty of shorter women who share our dress size. In fact it’s the average size of a woman in the UK. I object to the term 'plus size' because it suggests a surplus – there's an inherent judgment within it. 'Plus size' says "You are bigger than you should be. You are outside the norm.'"
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